let me read a statement that the former president george w. bush has just issued on the passing of president nelson mandela. laura and i join the people of south africa and the world in celebrating the life of nelson mandela. president mandela was one of the great forces of freedom and equality of our time. he bore his burdens with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his example. this good man will be missed but his contributions will live on forever. laura and i send our heartfelt sympathy to president mandela's family and to the citizens of the nation he loved. i anticipate we will be getting a statement shortly from president obama as well. president clinton, so many world leaders will be, of course, responding and reacting. in fact, i expect to be hearing from the president, there you can see the white house briefing room, they are getting ready for a statement from the president of the united states. the seal is there, now the flags are being installed. momentarily the president will walk into the briefing room and p